Oklahoma HOSA took more than 250 members to the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Houston, Texas and brought home 23 medals, along with other awards.

Oklahoma HOSA members received 10 gold medals, eight silver medals and five bronze medals, along with 17 top 10 finishes. More than 12,000 middle school, secondary and postsecondary students attended the conference.

“Our Oklahoma HOSA team demonstrated remarkable dedication and skill, achieving impressive milestones on the international stage,” said Amy Warner, HOSA state adviser with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

The Oklahoma chapters were also recognized for membership increase, and the chapter from Tulsa Technology Center’s Peoria Campus received an award for being the largest postsecondary local chapter.

Amanda Longan, Green Country Technology Center, was named Outstanding Local Adviser, and Oklahoma HOSA President Maira Arshad, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, was named Outstanding HOSA Leader.

Three Oklahomans received scholarships: Victoria Nwankwo, Oklahoma Central Region Vice President, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, a $1,000 HIMSS Foundation Scholarship; Arshad, $1,000 David McNeese Memorial Scholarship; and Cheyenne Holman, Green Country Technology Center, $1,000 National Healthcareer Association Scholarship.

Oklahoma HOSA advisers helped facilitate four of the 90-plus student competition events, including the newly introduced respiratory therapy and phlebotomy skills events.

In addition, all Oklahoma students who were recognized at the State Leadership Conference for receiving Barbara James Service awards and National Service Project Awards were also featured and received certificates and pins at ILC.

“Our team represented our state with exceptional professionalism and spirit. I am incredibly proud of each student and their accomplishments,” Warner said.

HOSA is one of seven CareerTech student organizations affiliated with CareerTech programs. It is affiliated with health careers education. The other six are Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences education), FFA (agricultural education), DECA (marketing education), SkillsUSA (trade and industrial education), Business Professionals of America (business and information technology education) and Technology Student Association (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

– The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 397 PK-12 school districts, 16 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.

The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.